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Tuesday, 21 March 2017

Ghana Waterfall Freak Accident Leaves Several Dead

At least 18 people - mostly students- have died after a large tree fell into a pool at Ghana's Kintampo Waterfall. The unusual accident occurred right after a rainstorm in the region

Heavy rains caused a large tree to fall on a group of swimmers at the base of a waterfall in Ghana, drowning and crushing at least 18 people, police said on Monday.

The waterfall, located near the town of Kintampo, was full of weekend daytrippers when the freak accident happened on Sunday.

Most of the deceased are students from the Wenchi Methodist Secondary School and the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Ghana police commander Desmond Owusu-Boampong told local media.

He added that another 20 people were being treated at local hospitals.

"It was the upper part of one of the biggest trees that came crashing down on them. It was a horrifying scene as the area was engulfed in screams and shouts for help as we arrived," fireman Kwaku Boateng told Reuters news agency.

Boateng added that they had to use chainsaws and other cutting tools hack through the branches to free the victims.

Pictures used by local media showed the tree's thick branches lying in a pool at the base of the waterfall, which is popular with tourists. Other images showed bodies - some wearing bathing suits - placed on the ground.

"We extend our condolences to the families of the dead and pray for the injured who have been rushed to the Kintampo and Techiman General Hospitals," said Ghana's Tourism Minister Catherine Afeku.

According to the headmaster of the sec sch, the students were on an excursion to mole national park but as soon as they left school, they changed their route to the waterfalls.May their soul rest in peace

This is so sad. I haven't been to this waterfall before but while a student in Ghana, I liked these kinds of excursions. I went to Wli waterfalls once with students in my department and I can only imagine how horrific this could have been for the survivors. May God grant the deceased repose in His bosom and comfort their loved ones. This is so sad.

This is so sad, and to think a pastor had the revelation and asked them spefically to reschedule the excursion for another day, i don't know if they heard or not, Rip to the dead and to the injured speedy recovery.